KR20090074037A - Interconnection tab used with optical devices - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical device with at least one interconnection tab is provided. The optical device includes a pair of opposed substrates with a gap therebetween filled with an electro-optic material. Each substrate has a facing surface with a substrate electrode disposed thereon. A sealing material is disposed between the pair of opposed substrates to contain the electro-optic material. At least one interconnection tab is interposed between the substrates. The interconnection tab includes an insulator layer with opposed surfaces. A tab electrode layer is provided on each surface, wherein each tab electrode layer contacts a corresponding substrate electrode. And each tab electrode layer includes a portion that extends from the pair of opposed substrates on selected portions of the insulator layer.

Description

INTERCONNECTION TAB USED WITH OPTICAL DEVICES}

Cross Reference Of This Application

This application claims the priority of US provisional serial numbers 60 / 843,599 and 60 / 919,416, filed September 11, 2006 and March 22, 2007, respectively, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates generally to eyewear. In particular, the present invention relates to spectacles with lenses utilizing electronically controllable variable optical properties, such as optical properties that can be used for liquid crystal materials, for example. In particular, the present invention relates to a lens having a flexible interconnection tab.

Glasses have been considered to have been developed in Europe and China during the 13th century. It is also believed that primitive men used a shield made of bones and / or wood to protect their eyes from the sun and the wind. Primarily, glasses have been developed for functional reasons, i.e. to enhance the wearer's vision and to protect their eyes from environmental factors. As time passed, glasses as fashion accessories became popular.

Glasses have many basic components and are generally accepted as jargon. Frames, mainly made of plastic, metal, and the like, are provided to hold the lens so that it can be placed close to the wearer's eyes. The bridge, which is typically integrated with the frame, rests on the wearer's nose, giving the frame a natural resting spot. A hinge is installed on the frame at each side, and a temple adjacent to the wearer's head may extend from the other side of each hinge. The earpiece extends downward from the temple adjacent the wearer's ear, allowing the glasses to be secured.

The frame that holds the lens that modifies or changes the vision of the wearer includes a frame front. The two temples can be replaced with a single strap around the head as used for goggles. New advances in materials, in particular memory metals, make it possible to replace conventional hinges with continuous structures, and it is proposed to use the term "joint" instead of hinges. Indeed, the term "joint" would be more appropriate for glasses that use straps instead of temples. The frame provides a frame cavity for carrying the lens, also referred to as aperture. Typically, the left lens is called an Ocular Sinister (OS) and the right lens is called an Ocular Dexter (OD).

Frames generally fall into three categories: rimmed, semi-rimless and rimless. In the Ute configuration, the lens opening is completely surrounded by the frame. In a semi-rimless configuration, the frame partially holds the lens, which includes a filament that functions to hold the lens in place without providing the outline of the frame. And in a frameless configuration, the lens is held directly by the temple and / or the bridge so that there is no frame surrounding the lens or lenses.

The hinge between the temple and the frame can be provided in a number of different structures. The standard friction hinge is a separate hinge that attaches the temple and frame front to each other. In addition, a spring hinge may be provided, where the spring is used to bias the connection between the temple and the frame front to provide a safer or more comfortable fit on the head of the wearer. An integrated hinge utilizes a finger or leaf, which is an extension of each temple and frame front, where hinge pins are added to connect the finger and the leaf to each other. As mentioned above, a continuous hinge may be provided, where the frame front and the temple are continuous or integrated with each other.

Conventional eyeglasses use frame frames that are elastically distorted, such that a rigid lens with or without a beveled edge is inserted into the frame opening. Plastic frames are often heated to increase the resilience of the material, resulting in relatively less distortion. Metal frames may be used and often have mechanical joints that are open to receive rigid lenses. It will be appreciated that significant modifications are possible to the metal frame so that a lens of the appropriate size is inserted.

Upon application of an electric field, optical electro-optical materials have been developed for the spectacles that change their optical appearance. Liquid crystal materials are typically used but other electro-optical materials may be promising. This material can be used in eyewear such as goggles and visors, but it will be appreciated that many problems will arise when integrating liquid crystal devices into conventional eyeglass frames. Indeed, where the basic form and configuration of a liquid crystal device or any device using an electro-optical material that can be used in a lens is provided, special features must be incorporated into the spectacle frame to accommodate such a lens. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, liquid crystals and other electro-optical lenses have glue or adhesive beads having electro-optic properties different from the active region-the region comprising the electro-optic material. It has an edge seal provided. It will be appreciated that it is desirable to hide the edge seal within the spectacle frame. This type of lens also requires a protruding tab that functions as an electrode that allows the application of the desired electrical waveform or voltage to the electro-optical material. Thus, the device, edge seals, and / or electrode tabs are typically not strong enough to withstand insertion into a frame that is elastically deformed. This is especially true for sunglasses that do not employ carrier lenses. In other words, ophthalmic eyeglasses applications may be provided with correction lenses that provide a substantial carrier or base to which the liquid crystal device is attached. As such, the rigidity of the carrier may butter the force required to insert the lens into the spectacles. However, liquid crystal lenses or similar lenses do not withstand such forces by themselves. It will also be appreciated that electro-optical lenses require batteries, drive circuits, switches and other interconnecting conductors for operation. These components should be located within or above a certain location of the frame while maintaining an aesthetically superior appearance, or should be virtually difficult to find by the wearer or casual witness as a whole.

One aspect of liquid crystal lenses that have proven problematic is the interface of liquid crystal (LC) lens electrodes used to apply electric fields to liquid crystal materials. In the past LC lenses required each electrode to be patterned with a special tap where some type of conductor, such as a wire or tape, is used for the interconnection to the control circuit. Such a method is usable, but it has been found to be difficult to implement to produce a large number of lenses. And such interconnects have been found to be somewhat unreliable and breakable. Moreover, the need to form tabs hinders the ability to extend the electro-optical active material to the peripheral edge of the lens. In addition, some lens designs have used a small amount of conductive material (adhesive) as so-called "crossover dots" to electrically connect the electrodes of one substrate to individual conductive tabs on the opposing substrate. As such, crossover dots further complicate the lens design and in other respects have provided device failure. Another flaw in lens design using crossovers is that repairing the lens is not easy when the lens is found to be defective.

Based on the above problem, it will be appreciated that there is a need for improved interconnection of electro-optical lenses. Indeed, there is a need for lens interconnection that does not require special patterning of the electrode layer on the lens. There is also a need for flexible and robust interconnections.

In view of the foregoing, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an interconnect tab for use with an optical device.

Another aspect of the invention provides a pair of opposing substrates having a gap between which an electro-optic material is filled and each of the substrates having opposing surfaces on which substrate electrodes are disposed; Sealing material disposed between the substrates to include an electro-optic material, and at least one interconnecting tab interposed between the substrate, the tab comprising an insulator layer having opposing surfaces and a tab on each of the surfaces An electrode layer, wherein each of the tab electrode layers includes a portion that contacts the corresponding substrate electrode and extends from a pair of opposing substrates on a selected portion of the insulator layer.

1 is a perspective view of a conventional glasses assembly.

2 is a cross-sectional view of an electro-optical device, such as a liquid crystal lens, used in spectacles according to the invention.

3 is an exploded top perspective view of a disassembled component of an interconnect tab, manufactured in accordance with the inventive concept.

4 is an assembled side view of the interconnect tab shown in FIG. 3.

5 is a partial plan view of an interconnect tab connected to an electro-optical lens according to the present invention.

6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tab and lens taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tab and lens taken along line 7-7 of FIG.

8 is a partial plan view of a lens with interconnect tabs superimposed on top;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, a complete understanding of the objects, techniques and structures of the present invention will be given.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional eyeglass assembly is generally designed as shown at 20. It will also be appreciated that the spectacles assembly may also be referred to as glasses, spectacles, and the like. The spectacles assembly includes a frame 22 that provides at least one opening 24 carrying a lens 26, which may be referred to as an optical device. It will be understood that in most glasses, two openings are provided, each opening being associated with the wearer's eye. Thus, the uppercase L suffix is assigned to the openings, lenses, and other related components associated with the wearer's left eye, and the uppercase R suffix is assigned to the openings, lenses, and other related components associated with the wearer's left eye. The frame 22 includes a bridge 27 that separates the rims 28L and rims 28R. And as the frame, one of rimmed, semi-rimmed or rimless configurations can be provided. The frame 22 can provide a frame front 30 that can be mounted to the hinge 32. Although not shown in detail, the hinge 32 may provide a frame finger that is secured relative to the frame front, where a temple finger that is secured relative to the temple 40 is engaged with the frame finger. It will be appreciated that the pin is interconnected to the frame finger by way of example. Although not shown, the hinge can be provided in a spring based configuration or other configuration. As discussed above, the temple 40 extends from the temple finger or from the frame front so that the glasses are aligned adjacent to the wearer's head so that the glasses can be easily carried by the user's head. If desired, the earpiece 42 may extend from each temple 40 to facilitate maintenance of the eyeglass assembly at the wearer's head. In a typical eyeglass configuration, a lens is involved in the opening 24 to provide visual correction in any number of configurations. That is, the lens can be configured to improve myopia, hyperopia, and other eye-related damage. The lens can then be shaded or tinted to provide protection from sun light, ultraviolet light, and the like. It will also be appreciated that colored glasses can be used as a fashion accessory to match the physical attributes or clothes of the person wearing the glasses.

2, it will be understood that one type of lens may be a liquid crystal lens configuration. In the following, a liquid crystal lens configuration is described, but any electro-optic material such as electro-chromic dyes, electro-phoretic materials, or similar materials may be used in place of the liquid crystal material. It will be understood. Such liquid crystal lens configurations are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 6,239,778, 6,690,495, 7,102,602, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Briefly, a standard liquid crystal lens configuration is generally designed as shown by reference numeral 26. Such lenses include opposing substrates 50A, 50B, spaced at regular intervals, each substrate providing corresponding transparent electrode layers 52A, 52B, typically formed of indium tin oxide or other suitable conductive material. As will be discussed below, the electrode layer allows for voltage application across the gap between the substrates. The substrate may be flat, curved or double curved. In addition, the substrate may be rigid or flexible. If necessary, the alignment layer 54 may be disposed on each electrode layer or only one of the electrode layers. The alignment layer may preferentially align liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the alignment layer, where the molecules are portions of liquid crystal material received between the substrates. Typically, gaps are provided between the substrates and are held by spacers as is known in the art. Thus, the opposing substrate 50 forms a gap 56 containing liquid crystal or other electro-optical active material 58. Each electrode layer 52 is connected to a control circuit 59 which may include switches, power supplies, drive circuits, and other circuit components. The control circuitry changes the orientation of the electro-optic material by applying a voltage and / or voltage waveform in a suitable manner. Thus, by changing the orientation of the material, various optical properties-absorption, non-absorption, high light transmittance, low light transmittance, and the like can be obtained.

Near or near the outer edge of the lens 26, an edge seal 60 is provided to maintain the electro-optic material between the substrates. It will be appreciated that the edge seals and associated regions are not optically active regions. Therefore, it is desirable to cover the area around the edge seal or otherwise hide it in the frame of the glasses.

Interconnection Tab

3 to 8, it will be appreciated that the interconnect tab may be generally designed as 500. It will be appreciated that the various components of the tab 500 shown in the figures may be somewhat expanded to facilitate the recognition of the structural features of the tab. Tab 500 is used to connect the electrodes of a liquid crystal or other electro-optical active lens to a control circuit or electrical energy power source to control the operation of the lens. As will be discussed more clearly below, the tab 500 eliminates the need to provide a patterned electrode on the lens substrate or to provide a special configuration of the substrate. The tab 500 simplifies the connection of the lens to the control circuit or other power source by reducing time-consuming assembly steps. In addition, the use of tab 500 provides a more reliable connection between the lens and the control circuit.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, interconnect tab 500 is a multi-layer structure that facilitates connection with an electrode provided by a lens when assembled. Tab 500 includes an insulator 502 made of a flexible non-conductive plastic material. Although the thickness of the insulator layer depends on the size of the lens to which the insulator layer is to be connected, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the insulator layer has a thickness of about 25 mu. Although the insulator 502 is provided in a substantially square or rectangular configuration, it will be appreciated that other shapes may be used. In any case, the insulator 502 provides a lens edge 504 that can be located between the electrodes of the lens 26 and a terminal edge 506 on the other end of the insulator 502 that is connectable to a control circuit or other power source. It is the side edges 508, 510 that connect the edges 504, 506 to each other. The side edges 508, 510 are provided with terminal notches 511 proximate the terminal edge 506. Notches 511 are used to facilitate identification of interconnect tabs and orient them into the lens, as will be described more clearly below. Insulator 502 provides a top surface 512 opposite the bottom surface 514. It will be understood that terms such as top and bottom are used only as a reference in describing the insulator layer, as the tabs may be redirected as long as the lens edge 504 is received between the substrates of the lens 26.

The insulator 502 has a plurality of holes 516 therethrough. As will be apparent, a hole is associated with a particular electrode and requires at least two holes, where at least one of the holes is associated with a corresponding electrode. It will also be appreciated that the holes can be disposed proximate to the terminal edge 506.

The electrode layer 520 is disposed on the surface 512 of the insulator 502. Electrode layer 520 includes an L-shaped electrode 522, which is made of a conductive material such as copper or an alloy that is conductive for connection to a conductive electrode provided by the lens and suitable for electrical connection to drive circuit components. do. In addition, it will be appreciated that the materials used for all electrodes disposed on the insulator layer 502 can withstand flexure well without being separated from the insulator layer. Electrode 522 is affixed, plated, or otherwise secured to top surface 512. Electrode 522 includes a first leg 524 that extends primarily along lens edge 504 but does not extend past or beyond insulator 502. Here, as used for all electrodes of the interconnection tab, the predetermined portion of the electrode disposed along the predetermined edge of the insulator means that the electrode portion is positioned substantially adjacent to the above-mentioned edge on the specified face. Is accepted. The electrode 522 also includes a second leg 526 that is substantially perpendicular to the first leg 524 and extends along the side edge 526 and terminates near the terminal edge 506. Like the first leg 524, the second leg 526 does not extend past or beyond the insulator 502. The second leg 526 has a pair of holes 528 through it, but only one may be needed. The hole 528 is aligned with the corresponding hole 516 on the insulator 502. The conductive adhesive 530 is disposed on the first leg 524 along the length of the lens edge 504. The non-conductive adhesive 531 is disposed on the second leg 526 close to the terminal edge 506.

The electrode layer 520 also includes a pad electrode 532 that is spaced apart and not in contact with the L-shaped electrode 522. The pad electrode 532 is attached to the top surface 512 in the same manner as the electrode 522 and is located along the portions of the terminal edge 506 and the side edge 508 and aligned with the terminal notch 511. The pad electrode 532 does not extend beyond the edge of the insulator 502 and also has a nonconductive adhesive 531 on the opposite side of the insulator. The pad electrode 532 provides a pair of holes 534 aligned with the corresponding holes 516 of the insulator, but only one may be required.

A cover layer, indicated by reference numeral 540, is disposed over the electrode layer 520. Cover layer 540 includes lens edge release liner 542 covering first leg 524 disposed along lens edge 504. The cover layer 540 also includes a second leg 526 along the terminal edge 506 and a terminal edge release liner 546 covering the end of the pad electrode 532. Cover layer 540 prevents impurities from adhering to the adhesive provided on electrode layer 520 prior to assembly to the lens. The liner is removed at an appropriate time to allow attachment to the electrodes 522, 532.

The electrode layer 550 is disposed on and fixed to the surface of the insulator 502. The electrode layer 550 is configured in the same manner as the electrode layer 520. In particular, the electrode layer 550 includes an L-shaped electrode 552 having a first leg 556 disposed along the length of the lens edge 504. The electrode 552 also provides a second leg 558 extending substantially vertically from the first leg 556, disposed along the side edge 508, and extending all the way to the terminal edge 506. The second leg 558 is also notched at the junction of the terminal edge 506 and the side edge 508. The second leg 558 has at least two holes 560, but only one hole may be required, where the hole 560 is a hole 534 provided by the hole 516 and the pad electrode 532 on the insulator. ) Is sorted. Like other electrodes, the L-shaped electrode 522 does not extend beyond the edge of the insulator 502. The conductive adhesive 562 is disposed along the first leg 556 on the side opposite the insulator 502. The optional conductive adhesive 563 is disposed on a portion of the leg 558 proximate the pad electrode 564 and the terminal edge 506.

The electrode layer 550 also includes a pad electrode 564 spaced apart from the electrode 552 along a portion of the terminal edge 506 and the side edge 510. The pad electrode 564 has at least two holes 566 aligned with the corresponding holes 516 of the insulator 516 and the holes 528 of the electrode 522, but only one may be required.

Cover layer 570 selectively covers layer 550 in the same way that cover layer 540 covers electrode layer 520. In particular, cover layer 570 includes lens edge release liner 572 covering first leg 556. If conductive adhesive 563 is used, the release liner 574 covers the pad electrode 564 and the portion of the second leg 558 that is aligned along the terminal edge 506 and the side edge 508. do. If the conductive adhesive 563 is not used, there is no release liner 574. Cover layer 570 prevents impurities from adhering to the adhesive provided to electrode layer 550 prior to assembly to the lens and drive or power supply components. The liner is removed at an appropriate time to allow attachment to the electrodes 552, 564.

6 and 7, all of the holes aligned with each other may have vias 580 such that electrical conductivity is generated between the pad electrode on one side of the insulator layer and the L-shaped electrode on the other side of the insulator layer. It is configured in such a way. That is, when the electrode layer is disposed thereon, the insulator 502 is coated with a conductive material used for the electrode, and the inner surface of the hole 516 is coated between the pad electrode on one side of the insulator layer and the L-shaped electrode on the other side of the insulator layer. It is configured in such a way that an electrical connection is made.

Referring to FIG. 5, interconnect tab 500 is secured to lens 26. The interconnect tabs are well illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. During assembly of the lens 26, the edge seal 60 surrounds the outer periphery of the opposing substrate, keeping the liquid crystal or other optically active material in the spaced gaps of the substrates 50A, 50B. As mentioned above, the substrate 50 is provided with an electrode layer 52, which is either covered or uncovered by the polyimide 54 or other related material necessary to facilitate the operation of the lens 26. After or during assembly of the substrates 50A, 50B to each other, an interconnect tab 500 is disposed therebetween. If the tab 500 is inserted after assembly of the lens 26, in this embodiment, the tab is inserted slightly away from the selected area of the flexible substrate. The substrates are then subjected to pressure or stacked together with or without heat to reattach the substrates together. It will be appreciated that the placement of the tab may be made before or after filling the lens with liquid crystal or other material. Alternatively, if the substrates 50A and 50B are not flexible, the substrate may be slightly notched to accommodate the thickness of the tab 500. Any opening between the inserted tab and the substrate may be filled with edge seal 60.

Immediately prior to the insertion of the tab 500, the liners 542 and 572 are removed to expose the conductive adhesive provided in each portion of the first legs 524 and 556. In order to ensure proper connection between the interconnect tabs and the electrodes provided by the lens, the edges of the substrates 50A, 50B extend to completely cover at least a small portion of at least the width of the first legs 524, 556. . Application of pressure to the substrates 52A, 52B creates an electrical connection between each of the electrodes 52A, 52B and the first legs 524, 556. Use of a suitable conductive adhesive material ensures that the electrode layer is in electrical connection with the facing electrode layer of the lens. The alignment layers 54A and 54B are made of a material which does not interfere with the electrical connection between the electrode of the substrate and the electrode layer of the connection tab.

Although not shown in its original size, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is noted that the lower electrode 52B is connected to the L-shaped electrode 552 through the via 580 and also to the pad electrode 532. Able to know. Thus, electrical connection to the lower substrate electrode can be made by electrically and mechanically attaching an appropriate attachment to the pad electrode 532 and / or the second leg 558.

As shown in FIG. 7, a similar type of connection may be made to the upper electrode substrate 52A by the L-shaped electrode 552 and the pad electrode 564. Thus, by applying an electrical connection to the pad electrode 564 and / or the second leg 526, proper connection can be made to the upper substrate.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the L-shaped electrodes 522, 552 can be of any shape, such as rectangular. The use of an L-shape for the electrodes 522, 552 provides an extension of sufficient size to provide an interconnect to the control circuit, ensuring that the size of the tab does not interfere with the expected mechanical operation of the frame and hinge of the glasses. At the same time, maximum contact is provided to adjacent substrate electrodes. The shape of the electrode that fits these features can be integrated into the tab 500.

Depending on the use of a lens, eyeglass frame, goggle frame, or other carrying device, the interconnect tabs may be superimposed in a suitable direction such that the spring-viased contact contacts the electrode opposing face. As best seen in FIG. 8, the interconnect tab 500 is superimposed over the lens 26, in particular the substrate 50a, to reveal a portion of the second leg 558 and the pad electrode 564, both of which are controlled. It may be arranged in contact with an electrode or wire for connection to the circuit.

Interconnect tabs are advantageous for several reasons. The use of tabs simplifies the electrical connection to the lens and reduces the manufacturing process in the assembly of the lens to goggles, visors, sunglasses, and other eyeglasses. No special changes and / or patterning are required for the lens electrode, saving the process and cost of manufacturing the lens. Since the tabs are in electrical contact with both substrates, there is no need for crossover dots and processes for making them. The tap is flexible enough to allow adaptability to other connection mechanisms connected to the control circuit. The use of tabs is believed to provide a more reliable connection. And it is understood that the tab is adjustable in size so that it can be used in glasses of different sizes. Another advantage of the present invention is that, if the electrical connection is found to be incomplete, it is easy to remove the tab and replace the cell for reactivation.

Thus, it can be seen that the object of the present invention can be satisfied by the above structure and method. While in accordance with the patent status, only the best mode and preferred embodiments can be provided and described in detail. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the best mode and preferred embodiment. Therefore, to appraise the true scope and scope of the present invention, reference should be made to the following claims.

Claims (15)

An optical device having at least one interconnection tab, A pair of opposing substrates having a gap between which an electro-optic material is filled, each having an opposing surface on which a substrate electrode is disposed; A sealing material disposed to contain the electro-optic material between the pair of opposing substrates; At least one interconnection tab interposed between the substrates Including, the tab, An insulator layer having opposing surfaces, A tab electrode layer on each of said faces, Each of the tab electrode layers includes a portion in contact with a corresponding substrate electrode and extending from the pair of opposing substrates on a selected portion of the insulator layer. The method of claim 1, The insulator layer comprises opposing side edges, each of the portions disposed such that only one of the portions is along the side edge near one opposing side edge. The method of claim 2, Further comprising electrode pads on a surface of each of the insulator layers, each of the electrode pads being disposed such that only one of the electrode pads is along each side edge near one opposite side edge. The method of claim 3, Each of the electrode pads disposed on one side of the insulator layer opposite the portion. The method of claim 4, wherein The insulator layer, the portion and the electrode pad include at least one via extending therethrough. The method of claim 5, And the via is electrically conductive so that the electrode pads facing the leg portion are electrically connected to each other. The method of claim 1, And a conductive adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the tab electrode layer. The method of claim 1, And the insulator layer has a lens edge housed between the pair of opposing substrates opposing the terminal edges extending from the substrate. The method of claim 8, The tab electrode layer is L-shaped, the portion extending along the lens edge to the terminal edge. The method of claim 9, Each of the L-shaped tab electrode layers including a first leg extending substantially along the lens edge and a second leg extending from the first leg in the direction of the terminal edge. The method of claim 10, And the insulator layer comprises an opposite side edge extending from the lens edge to the terminal edge. The method of claim 11, Each of the second legs is disposed along one of the opposite side edges. The method of claim 12, And an electrode pad disposed on a surface of each of the insulator layers in proximity to one of the terminal edge and the opposite side edge. The method of claim 13, Each of the electrode pads is disposed on one side of the insulating layer surface opposite to the second leg. The method of claim 14, And the insulating layer, the second leg, and the electrode pad include at least one electrically conductive via therethrough.

Images